The Miami Dolphins (8-8) host the New York Jets (7-9) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium, and the Dolphins want a victory plus a New England loss at Buffalo to earn their first playoff berth since 2016. Here are 5 issues to look at for in Sunday’s recreation:
Dolphins’ offense
It’s time to cease being disappointing and outscore an opponent in an vital recreation. This offense ranks tenth in scoring at 24.1 factors per recreation. There’s just one different season within the earlier 10 that time whole would have ranked within the prime 10 (2017). The offense has been caught within the mud for the reason that bye week.
Even when it scored 30 factors in opposition to Houston in a 30-15 victory, the offense solely had two touchdowns (cornerback Xavien Howard had a landing on a fumble return) and didn’t rating your complete second half. The offense has averaged simply 20.8 factors per recreation throughout this five-game dropping streak. Coach Mike McDaniel, whose calling card is offense, should discover a option to counter what defenses are doing.
Dolphins’ QB efficiency
Whether the starter is Teddy Bridgewater or Skylar Thompson, they shouldn’t should win the sport for the Dolphins. They solely want to offer Miami an opportunity to win within the fourth quarter. In truth, in three of the 4 video games beginning quarterback Tua Tagovailoa missed time attributable to an harm (Cincinnati, New York Jets, Minnesota, New England) the reserve quarterbacks gave the Dolphins an opportunity to win.
The solely recreation they didn’t have an opportunity to win within the fourth quarter? The 40-17 loss to the Jets. Whether Bridgewater or Thompson begins, the sport must be gained by gamers or items aside from quarterback.
Coach Mike McDaniel
The strain is on McDaniel, the rookie head coach. His staff is contending for the worst collapse in franchise historical past, presumably surpassing the 1993 meltdown of going from 9-2 to 9-7 and lacking the playoffs.
McDaniel should now discover a option to claw out another victory and hope New England loses at Buffalo to get the Dolphins into the playoffs. It gained’t be simple. The Dolphins are battling harm considerations in addition to a broken psyche. Let’s see if McDaniel can work some magic.
Dolphins’ protection and particular groups
A victory on Sunday would require good performances from the protection and particular groups, and that’s not assured. The protection, which has been up and down this season, has performed properly at residence, permitting a median of 16 factors per recreation. They’ll doubtless have to be round that common in opposition to the Jets (the offense averages 23.1 ppg at residence).
As for particular groups, kicker Jason Sanders should be capable of hit a 50-yard area purpose as a result of, let’s face it, that might be a requirement for victory. Sanders is 1 for five on area purpose makes an attempt of fifty or extra yards this season.
Dolphins’ finest gamers
The Dolphins’ star gamers — large receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, defensive deal with Christian Wilkins, edge rusher Bradley Chubb, offensive deal with Terron Armstead, Howard, and so on — have to discover a option to both ship this victory themselves or rally their teammates to ship a win. This is a participant’s league and gamers bear many of the accountability for what occurs to a staff. So, the Dolphins’ prime gamers should come by means of.
We can discuss all we wish about turnover margin (Dolphins are minus-7, tied for third-worst within the league), level differential (minus-7), and being with out your beginning quarterback. Bottom line: the Dolphins’ finest gamers should ship a victory regardless of their particular person harm conditions.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com